9 of the world's most impressive city parks: Griffith Park, Los Angeles

9 of the world's most impressive city parks

Griffith Park, Los Angeles

This massive park in L.A.'s Santa Monica Mountains covers more than 4,000 acres, making it one of the largest city-run parks in California. For anyone who wished that urban parks had more rugged, natural landscapes, Griffith is a great destination. The park's trails lead into the Santa Monica Mountains, offering visitors hiking experiences that are seldom available to city-dwellers and visiting tourists. A local chapter of the Sierra Club leads guided hikes along these “backcountry” trails. Griffith also has a wide range of on-site attractions, including concert venues, the Griffith Observatory, golf courses and the Los Angeles Zoo.